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About Face Youth Theatre

AFYT is theatre training, social justice activism, leadership development, and queer empowerment all wrapped up in one energetic package! Ensemble members will meet and create with other queer youth from around the city, work with theatre artists and local activists, learn about LGBTQ history, and devise and perform an original theatre production.

If you or someone you know is interested in art as activism, this ensemble is for you. Workshops are offered free of charge for LGBTQ+ and allied people 13-24 years old.

AFYT 2023-2024 Season

Interested in new plays that push the limits and manifest the future? Find out how you can get involved with youth theatre at About Face by contacting Education Manager Dionne Addai at dionne@aboutfacetheatre.com

AFYT Production History

About Face Youth Theatre has been devising original plays about LGBTQIA+ lives and building community with queer youth for over 20 years. These are some of our previous productions:

  • Gayme Changers (2021-2022)
  • Whodunnit? A Groovy Queer Murder Mystery at Camp Forest Woods (2020-2021)
  • A Glow Up: The Hot Take From AFYT (2019-2020)
  • 20/20 (2018-2019)
  • Scary Stories to Save Your Life (2017-2018)
  • Brave Like Them: A Queer As Fuck Riot GRRRL Musical (2016-2017)
  • Ad Hoc Home (2015-2016)
  • 15 Breaths (2014-2015)
  • Checking Boxes (2013-2014)
  • What’s the T (Remount) (2012-2013)
  • What’s the T (2011-2012)
  • Queertopia (2009-2010)
  • Fast Forward (2007-2008)
  • The Home Project (2005-2006)
  • On the Record (2003-2004)
  • Up Until Now (2002-2003)
  • Inside Out (2001-2002)
  • In Real Life (2000-2001)
  • Raising Voices (1999-2000)
  • First Breath (1998-1999)

About AFYT

Founded in 1999, About Face Youth Theatre (AFYT) is a brave and creative space. Our award-winning, nationally recognized program combine theatre training, social justice lessons, LGBTQ+ history, and opportunities for leadership development and activism. Through making original ensemble plays in dynamic collaborations we encourage and support LGBTQIA+ people to become powerful agents for change.

AFYT Program Highlights and Benefits

  • Participants can make life-long friends in the LGBTQ+ community
  • Become part of a citywide ensemble of young artists and activists
  • Free artistic training with professional artists
  • Access to professional mentorship from local leaders and activists
  • Connections to resources and support in different areas of life
  • Learn about social justice and LGBTQIA+ history
  • Leadership training and opportunities

AFYT Values

About Face Theatre is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for the youth who participate in our programs and activities. Supervised and supported by AFT staff leadership, our AFYT Teaching and Guest Artists are dedicated to the wellbeing of our youth participants Here are a selection of the ways we ensure our AFYT learning environment:

We work Together
Teamwork makes the dream work. Our workshops and sessions emphasize ensemble-building and collaboration. Any staff member working with youth will also have a second support staff member or guest teacher present for any live workshops.

We take the Time that’s needed
Sometimes we can’t leave everything at the door. AFT provides adequate time each meeting to establish the well being of youth and ensure everyone has safe travel arrangements when applicable. We also work in collaboration with other support services and can make referrals for additional support when needed.

We know our Artists well
We understand the importance of knowing who our youth are working with. All persons who desire to work with or volunteer with the youth at AFT are screened through an application and interview process supplied by AFT and additionally complete Mandated Reporter training through the State of Illinois.

We work from the Personal
We encourage people to share the truth about their lives. Sometimes a story shared with the ensemble isn’t meant for a more public audience. At any point in the process, an ensemble member can revise or withdraw a story they are contributing to the process.

We practice Consent
Every person has different boundaries when it comes to physical touch and emotional capacity. AFT uses a consent-based model that requires content warnings for materials that may be sensitive to some, and asking for permission before touching others. Everyone has the right to refuse physical contact at any time.

We feed the Body and the Mind
No one can be at their best on an empty stomach. Snacks and sometimes meals are provided for all in-person AFYT workshops and sessions. All food is pre-packaged and labeled for allergy/sensitivity review before consumption.

We Speak up
Communication is key. In Group Agreements, program leadership decides which platforms of communication will be used and will limit all communication to Program platforms. There shall be no staff-to-youth contact outside of program activities. Private communication to youth and friending youth on social media are prohibited.

We hold each other Accountable
AFYT uses Group Agreements to establish behavior norms and build shared understanding for participation. The Group Agreements are posted in highly visible areas and all ensemble members sign a contract stating their commitment to the Group Agreements.

Workshop Gallery

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